Record controlled sewing machine

ABSTRACT

In this invention, a cloth frame moving device whereby the three operations of the movements and rotation of X and Y components can be detected with a three rotary pulse generator which is fitted to a recording sewing machine so that pulse trains generated from the above mentioned three pulse generator may be added to the pulse wave form in a positive or negative direction and a pulse generator for detecting the lateral amplitude of a machine needle bar. A device for detecting instructions on the starting and stopping of the machine are provided in the machine so that the pulse trains generated from these respective pulse generator may be recorded in turn in a magnetic carrier.

United States Patent Sakamoto 1 Nov. 5, 1974 [54] RECORD CONTROLLED SEWING 3.490398 1/1970 Anniel 112 102 MACHINE 3,497 780 2/1970 Leenhouts 3,515,080 6/1970 Ramsey .1 112/102 X [75] Inventor: lsamu Sakamoto, Nishinomiya,

Japan Primary ExaminerAlfred R. Guest [73] Assignee: Kokau Camera Laboratory Attorney Agerm Firmotto John Mum Company Limited, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed; July 3, 73 In this invention, a cloth frame moving device whereby the three operations of the movements and. [21] PP N05 376,167 rotation of X and Y components can be detected with Related Application Data a three rotary pulse generator which is fitted to a re- [62} Division of Sen N0 36 H] May H 1970 Pat NO cording sewing machine so that pulse trams generated 3 750 186 from the above mentioned three pulse generator may be added to the pulse wave form in a positive or nega- [52] US. Cl. 112/102 five directio, and a pulse generator for detecting the 51 Int. Cl. D05c 3/02 lateral amPhtPde Of F machine needle A 58 Field of Search 112/102 for detecting mstwct'ons Sta/mg and stoPPmg of the machine are provided in the machine so that [56] References Cited the pulse trainsbgeneratejdgrom these respective pulse enerator may e recor e in turn in a ma netic car- UNITED STATES PATENTS g g 3,082,721 3/1963 Bono 112/102 3385245 5/1968 Ramsey et a1. 1. 112 102 x 4 Clams, 15 Drawmg Figures PAIENIEDHUY 5:914 3,845,731

saw 10F 4 FIG. 1 1" PRIOR ART m5 FIG.2A

PATENIEUuuv 5 m 3.845731 sum nor 4 FIG. 7 FIG. 9

FIG. 8

RECORD CONTROLLED SEWING MACHINE REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a division of prior application Ser. No. 36,lll filed May ll, I970, now US. Pat. No.

3,750,186, issued July 31, I973, to lsamu Sakamoto, classified in Class 1 l2, Subclass I02.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the prior art reproduction of embroidered designs by means of an automatic sewing machine has not been possible because the point movement of the tracer of the pattern has been made with a handle or by hand. Though in some instances the point tracer movement has been duplicated in the X and Y directions, there was no provision for the rotational directions which are essential if curves are to be embroidered.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides pulse motor recordation on tape which can have recorded thereon the X,Y, component directions, rotation, and starting and stopping so that a pattern can be accurately reproduced by an automatic embroidering sewing machine in response to the recorded tape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a method of making record carriers for automatic embroidering sewing machines in combination with a cloth frame moving device for automatic sewing machines.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method of recording the program of all of the longitudinal and lateral movements and rotation of a cloth frame and the lateral amplitude of a needle very easily within a short time by using an embroidering sewing machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic sewing machine wherein a magnetic tape in which records are made as mentioned above is fed to a reproducing machine for reproducing them so that exactly the same embroidery as the original embroidery may be reproduced.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cloth frame moving device in which the longitudinal and lateral movements and rotation and the lateral amplitude of the needle are made with pulse motors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing a conventional device:

FIG. 2A shows a leaf design which the invention is capable of embroidering;

FIG. 2A shows the same design as in FIG. 2A, with embroidered vein lines more closely spaced than in FIG. 2A to afford improved appearance;

FIG. 2B shows the outline of a star-like design;

FIG. 2B shows the same design as FIG. 28, wherein each sector of the design is filled in with closely spaced embroidered lines;

FIG. 2C shows a generally arcuate design formed by a single zigzag line between two concentric arcs;

FIG. 2C shows the same design as FIG. 2C, illustrating how the invention can be used to fill in the triangular areas defined by the zigzag line;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a cloth frame moving device for embroidering sewing machines according to the method of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a magnified perspective view of an essential part of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view showing an example of a rotary pulse generator;

FIG. 7 is a curve diagram showing an output of a rotary pulse generator;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the processof the wave form treatment shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an embodiment of an electron circuit of a recording device;

FIG. 10 is a view showing an embodiment of an electron circuit of a reproducing device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In an automatic embroidering sewing machine in which such record carrier as a punched tape or a magnetic sheet or tape in which records are made is held so that embroidering may be automatically made, the record carrier has been made by the below mentioned method. I

As shown in FIG. 1, two shafts 1 and 1 parallel with each other are provided in positions separated by a proper distance from each other, belts 2 and 2' are hung on the respective ends of the shafts and a tracer 4 is provided on a guide bar 3 mounted between said belts 2 and 2'. When two handles 6 and 6' are sepa rately operated so that the tracer 4 may trace a figure described on a pattern 5, the movement of the pointer of tracer is determined as-divided into X and Y components.

At the same time, computing mechanisms 7' in a record making device 7 connected with the handles 6 and 6 compute the X and Y components.

Then, if a pedal 8 is operated in the stopping position of tracer 4, a recording mechanism 7" records the above mentioned computed result in the record carrier 9. The respective points traced by the tracer are the points at which the needle of the sewing machine falls in case they are reproduced. The tracer 4 is to be made to make a point movement with the handles 6 and 6'. Therefore, even if, for example, a figure of a leaf design is recorded and is reproduced as in A in FIG. 2, the design will be only an outline.

The time and labor required to make an embroidery in which the space between the veins is all filled up as in A in FIG. 2 to have a three-dimensional senseby swelling and to be high in the vision effect have been so much that the efficiency has been low. Further, as the moving device consisting of the shafts l and 1', belt 2 and 2' and guide bar 3 to freely move the tracer 4 can not be rotated itself, in order to trace such flower design and radial design as in B and C in FIG. 2, much skill and time have been required. It. has been more difficult to fill up the inside spaces as in B and C in FIG. 2.

The present invention relates to a method of making a record carrier and a cloth frame moving device characterized in that, in making a record carrier, if the first one sheet is made by the same operation as in an ordinary embroidering operation by a skilled operator having a high technical skill with a zigzag embroidering sewing machine provided with a cloth frame moving device which can not only move but also rotate the X and Y components, the program of the X and Y components and rotation of the cloth frame, the lateral amplitude of the needle and further all up to the starting and stopping of the sewing machine can be recorded very easily within a short time by rotary pulse generators. In producing embroideries, if the above mentioned record carrier is fed to a reproducing sewing machine, even an operator having no knowledge and technique on embroidering at all can reproduce the embroidery perfectly at a higher speed so that the production efficiency may be improved.

The cloth frame moving device to be fitted in the recording embroidering sewing machine in working the method of the present invention will be explained in the following with reference to FIG. 3. a rigid frame including spaced parallel rails 11 and 11', is mounted on rails and 10' for guided translation thereby and therealong, in a direction parallel with the Y axis. The rails 11 and 11 are disposed parallel to the X axis, that is in a direction normal to the rails 10, 10', and support a carriage 12 for guided translation parallel to the X axis.

A rotary cloth-holding frame 13 in the form ofa ring supported for rotation within the ring, about an axis mutually normal to the X and Y axes, by is fitted in said carriage I2 and wheels 14, 14 and 14" provided in three positions equiangularly spaced about the outer periphery of the frame. Therefore, in making an embroidery design, the cloth frame can not only rotate but also freely move parallel with and along the rails 10 and 10' as well as rails 11 and 11. All of these three movements are discretely controlled by the record carrier. In a manner obvious from inspection of FIG. 3, guided translation of frame 12 parallel with the X axis, is controlled by energization of a pulse motor or telemetric repeater 15. Similarly, guided translation as a unit, of the frame including rails 11, 11, as well as carriage l2 and ring 13, in a direction parallel with the Y" axis, is controlled by the energization of a pulse motor or telemetric repeater 16. Likewise, rotation of cloth-holding frame 13 in and with respect to carriage 12, is controlled by the energization of a pulse motor or telemetric repeater l7.

Shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is another embodiment ofthe same cloth frame moving device in which an annular frame 18 in the form of a large ring is supported so as to be easily rotatable by hand by means of supporting wheels l9, l9 and 19" provided in three positions equiangularly spaced about the outer periphery of said framev A small ring-shaped cloth-supporting frame 20 located within this annular frame 18 holds fabric in which embroidering may be made. An arm rod 21 is radially fixed to the outer periphery of the frame 20 and is slidably inserted in a blockshaped support 23 made rotatable by a supporting shaft 22 fixed with the support (FIG. 5) and journaled for rotation in a part of the annular frame 18. Therefore, the cloth frame 20 is permitted to slide and rotate by the support 23 and at the same time the annular frame 18 itself rotates to form polar co-ordinates. Therefore, the cloth-supporting frame can freely move in translation and rotation in any direction within the range of the annular frame 18 and in a plane parallel therewith. The pulse motors or telemetric repeaters for effecting the above mentioned three kinds of movements are a first one 24 operatively connected with and effecting the rotation of the supporting shaft 22, another 25 controlling and effecting the sliding or radial movement of arm 21 in and relatively to support 23, and a third motor 26 connected with ring or frame 18 for controlling and effecting the rotation thereof. The rotary pulse generators used in making a magnetic record for the control of the aforesaid motors, each generates or creates output pulses proportional to the rotation to be imparted to the respective motors. That is, they convert the respective successive increments of rotation, to a number of pulses which have a sign or phase. depending on the direction of the rotation. Referring to FIG. 6, a rotary slit plate 27 fitted in the pulse generator has slits 28 in the outer peripheral part and rotates while keeping a slight clearance between it and each of fixed slit plates 29a and 29b having respectively slits 31a and 31b. On one side of said rotary slit plate 27 are provided lamps La and Lb opposite which are arranged respectively photoelectric elements 30a and 30b. In case the slits 28 of the rotary slit plate 27 coincide with the respective slits 31a and 31b of the fixed slit plates 29a and 29b, the lights from the lamps La and Lb are incident upon the photoelectric elements 30a and 30b respectively to generate electric impulses. The slit plates 29a and 29b are fixed so as to have a phase difference of from each other.

When the rotary slit plate 27 rotates, the output shown in FIG. 7 is produced. The rotating directions of both outputs of this phase difference of /2 11' are judged with a known normal and reverse rotation judging circuit (FIG. 8). A pulse output comes out at the output terminal on the upper side in the normal rotation and at the output terminal on the lower side in the reverse rotation. Both of these outputs are made pulses respectively in the positive and negative directions by a composite circuit as shown in FIG. 9 and are recorded in a magnetic tape 31 through a magnetic head 32. Therefore, in case the three pulse generators used in the above mentioned two cloth frame moving devices generate positive or negative pulses proportional respectively to the movements and rotation, such pulses are recorded in turn in the magnetic tape.

The adjustment of the lateral amplitude or lateral swing of the needle of the zigzag embroidering sewing machine used in the present invention is made by the operator pushing a lever with his knee. Therefore, a pulse generator to detect the amount of the movement of the lever is required. Thus four pulse generators in all including the three pulse generators of the cloth frame moving device are used. Therefore, there are in all four sets of the device shown in FIG. 9. Further, as five tracks are provided in the magnetic tape 31, records are made in the tape.

Signals effecting to the stopping and starting of the sewing machine are recorded in the aforesaid fifth track. The instruction for outomatieally stopping the running of the tape in case it is necessary to exchange the thread during the operation or in case all the operation ends is also recorded in this track. Signals of such three kinds of audio frequencies as, for example, 200, 1,000 and 7,000 Hz are recorded in this track. By the combination of these kinds, any required operation is made. These three kinds (represented by A, B and C) of signals recorded in one track are separated by a filter circuit. A table of such combinations is shown in the shows that the signal is recorded following wherein there.

Unbeara- That is to say, when the sewing machine is rotating slowly, only the signal A is recorded and, when it is rotating fast, both signals A and B are recorded.

The several tracks of the record tape or carrier formed as aforesaid are employed to control the energization of the respective pulse motors previously described, such as I5, 16, 17, FIG. 3, and 24, 25, 26, FIGS. 4 and 5, while a sewing or embroidering machine of conventional construction operates upon a workpiece carried by frame 13, FIG. 3, or 20, FIG. 4. Thus the tape is employed to automatically reproduce in the fabric workpiece, a figure or design identical with that from which the tape was prepared. When the magnetic tape 31 in which records have been made is fitted to the tape driving device of the reproducing sewing machine, five magnetic heads 32a to 322 are advantageously employed, each under control of a respective one of five tracks formed in with the tape as in FIG. 10. The magnetic heads 32a, 32b and 32c pick up the instructions from the tape magnetized by the three pulse generators of the recording sewing machine and the magnetic head 32d picks up the lateral amplitude or swing of the needle. Further, the magnetic head 32c effects the starting and stopping instructions for the sewing machine. Therefore, the above mentioned magnetic heads 32a to 32] control the respective pulse motors or telemetric repeaters 33a to 33d, through an amplifying circuit-wave form shaping circuit-pulse motor driving circuit and the magnetic head 32e starts and stops the reproducing sewing machine through an amplifying circuit sewing machine starting and stopping control circuit. When the records in this magnetic tape 31 are to be reproduced, if the cloth frame moving device is set in the same position as in the case of making the recorded tape of the recording sewing machine and the machine is started, an embroidered figure similar to the original figure can be reproduced. Thus, even an operator having no knowledge and technique on embroidering can make the operation very easily.

Thus. in the conventional record carrier making method. the point-movement of the tracer has been made with a handle or by hand. On the other hand, according to the present invention, if the cloth frame moving device whereby the cloth frame can be rotated in the X and Y axis directions and the respective movements can be detected by the rotary pulse generators is fitted to a recording sewing machine and the first one sheet is made by the same operation as in thecase of making an ordinary embroidering operation with this sewing machine by a skilled operator having a high degree of technique, the program of all of the X and Y axis directions and rotating direction of the cloth frame, the lateral amplitude of the needle and the starting and stopping of the sewing machine can be recorded as an original record carrier very easily within a short time by means of the pulse generators. Therefore, not only such designs as in A, B and C in FIG. 2 but also any complicated figures can be very quickly recorded. In producing the embroidery, if the above mentioned record carrier is fed to a reproducing sewing machine, the original embroidery can be reproduced perfectly at a higher speed and the production efficiency can be improved.

Further, the present invention can be applied to the automation of not only embroidering but also any other sewing operation.

What is claimed is:

I. Work supporting means for a record controlled automatic sewing machine operable to directly and controllably vary the lateral swing of its needle, and operated and controlled by the recorded pulse outputs of a magnetically inscribed record carrier bearing discrete X-, Y-, and rotational tracks, comprising, a frame adapted to support fabric to be embroidered, a carriage, first means supporting said frame on said carriage for rotation about an axis normal to the plane determined by mutually-normal X-, and Y-axes, second means'supporting said carriage for guided translation parallel with said X-axis, third means supporting said second means, carriage and frame for guided translation as a unit, parallel with said Y-axis, first, second and third pulse motors connected to rotate said frame, and to translate said carriage and said second means, respectively, as aforesaid, electric telemetric circuit means connected between said record carrier andsaid first, second and third pulse motors for controlling the actuation of the latter by and in response to the timerate of pulses produced by the respective tracks of said carrier, and a fourth pulse motor energizable and operating to controllably vary the lateral swing of the needle, as aforesaid, said record carrier bearing a discrete fourth track effecting control through said circuit means, of said fourth pulse motor, to vary the swing of the needle in timed relation with actuation of said first, second and third pulse motors.

2. Work supporting means for a record controlled automatic sewing machine operated and controlled by and from the recorded pulse outputs of a magnetically inscribed record carrier bearing discrete X-, Y- and rotational tracks, and operable to directly and controllably vary the lateral swing of its needle, comprising, a cloth supporting frame adapted to support fabric to be embroidered, first means supporting said frame for controlled universal movement in a plane essentially normal to the axis of reciproction of the needle of the sewing machine, second means supporting said frame for controlled pivoting about an axis normal to said plane, first second and third pulse motors each connected with said frame to effect movement thereof in two components of universal movement in said plane, and in rotation about said axis, respectively, said frame being an open first ring of relatively small diameter, a rod fixed with said first ring radially thereof, an open second ring of relatively large diameter, a support journaled on the periphery of said second ring and mounting said rod for sliding therein in the direction of its length with said first ring within said second ring, means mounting said second ring for rotation about its central axis, said first motor being fixed with said support and connected with said rod to translate the same in its length direction, said second motor being carried by said second ring and connected with said carriage to rotate the same as a unit with said rod and first ring,

said third motor being connected with said second ring to rotate the same.

3. The method of control of an automatic sewing machine operable to controllably vary the amplitude of lateral swing of its needle, to embroider in a plane workpiece, a predetermined design, from a record inscribed with at least three discrete tracks of components of movement to be imparted to the workpiece, comprising, controlling a first pulse motor by and from a first recorded track to effect a first component movement of the workpiece in its plane, simultaneously controlling a second pulse motor by and from a second recorded track to effect a second component movement of the workpiece in its plane and angularly related to said first component movement, simultaneously controlling a third pulse motor by and from a third recorded track to effect rotational movement of the workpiece about an axis essentially normal to the plane determined by said first and second component movements, the record having a fourth discrete track for control of the amplitude of swing of the needle of the sewing machine, and simultaneously controlling the amplitude of swing of the needle by and from the fourth track.

4. The method of claim 3, the record having a fifth discrete recorded track, and controlling the starting and stopping of the sewing machine by and from the fifth track.

Patent No. 3,845,731 Dated November 5 1974 Inventor(s) Isamu tO 7 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

The assigne's name should read Konan Camera Laboratory Company Limited Signed and sealed this 21st day of January 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-IOSO (IO-69) USCOMNMDC 60376.:69

' u.s. covznuuzm pamrmc OFFICE: 930 

1. Work supporting means for a record controlled automatic sewing machine operable to directly and controllably vary the lateral swing of its needle, and operated and controlled by the recorded pulse outputs of a magnetically inscribed record carrier bearing discrete X-, Y-, and rotational tracks, comprising, a frame adapted to support fabric to be embroidered, a carriage, first means supporting said frame on said carriage for rotation about an axis normal to the plane determined by mutually-normal X-, and Y-axes, second means supporting said carriage for guided translation parallel with said X-axis, third means supporting said second means, carriage and frame for guided translation as a unit, parallel with said Y-axis, first, second and third pulse motors connected to rotate said frame, and to translate said carriage and said second means, respectively, as aforesaid, electric telemetric circuit means connected between said record carrier and said first, second and third pulse motors for controlling the actuation of the latter by and in response to the time-rate of pulses produced by the respective tracks of said carrier, and a fourth pulse motor energizable and operating to controllably vary the lateral swing of the needle, as aforesaid, said record carrier bearing a discrete fourth track effecting control through said circuit means, of Said fourth pulse motor, to vary the swing of the needle in timed relation with actuation of said first, second and third pulse motors.
 2. Work supporting means for a record controlled automatic sewing machine operated and controlled by and from the recorded pulse outputs of a magnetically inscribed record carrier bearing discrete X-, Y- and rotational tracks, and operable to directly and controllably vary the lateral swing of its needle, comprising, a cloth supporting frame adapted to support fabric to be embroidered, first means supporting said frame for controlled universal movement in a plane essentially normal to the axis of reciproction of the needle of the sewing machine, second means supporting said frame for controlled pivoting about an axis normal to said plane, first second and third pulse motors each connected with said frame to effect movement thereof in two components of universal movement in said plane, and in rotation about said axis, respectively, said frame being an open first ring of relatively small diameter, a rod fixed with said first ring radially thereof, an open second ring of relatively large diameter, a support journaled on the periphery of said second ring and mounting said rod for sliding therein in the direction of its length with said first ring within said second ring, means mounting said second ring for rotation about its central axis, said first motor being fixed with said support and connected with said rod to translate the same in its length direction, said second motor being carried by said second ring and connected with said carriage to rotate the same as a unit with said rod and first ring, said third motor being connected with said second ring to rotate the same.
 3. The method of control of an automatic sewing machine operable to controllably vary the amplitude of lateral swing of its needle, to embroider in a plane workpiece, a predetermined design, from a record inscribed with at least three discrete tracks of components of movement to be imparted to the workpiece, comprising, controlling a first pulse motor by and from a first recorded track to effect a first component movement of the workpiece in its plane, simultaneously controlling a second pulse motor by and from a second recorded track to effect a second component movement of the workpiece in its plane and angularly related to said first component movement, simultaneously controlling a third pulse motor by and from a third recorded track to effect rotational movement of the workpiece about an axis essentially normal to the plane determined by said first and second component movements, the record having a fourth discrete track for control of the amplitude of swing of the needle of the sewing machine, and simultaneously controlling the amplitude of swing of the needle by and from the fourth track.
 4. The method of claim 3, the record having a fifth discrete recorded track, and controlling the starting and stopping of the sewing machine by and from the fifth track. 